Michelin awards nine new stars in England

Michelin has awarded a total of nine new stars in England in its 2012 guide to Great Britain and Ireland, with Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains stealing the show after being promoted to two-star status.

Kerridge's Hand & Flowers in Marlow has become the first two-star pub in the country, while Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms in Nottingham is now the only two-star restaurant in the east Midlands.

Former Acorn winner Matt Gillan has won his first star for his cooking at the Pass restaurant at South Lodge hotel near Horsham in Sussex, while Tassili at the Grand Jersey hotel is the latest addition to the collection of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Channel Islands.

John Campbell at Coworth Park, the Dorchester Collection's luxury country hotel near Ascot in Berkshire, has also been awarded a Michelin star. "I'm very delighted with the result and hard work put in by the team, particularly as the star has come in our first year of trading," Campbell said.

Matt Gillan, head chef at The Pass at South Lodge near Horsham, celebrated winning his first star. “I feel truly honoured. To be awarded a Michelin star is a remarkable achievement. I am immensely proud of the team. It just goes to show that hard work does pay off!”

The Driftwood restaurant in Portscatho has become the second Michelin-starred restaurant in Cornwall, after Nathan Outlaw, who has two stars. Head chef Chris Eden said it was a dream come true. "I found out from Simon Hulstone from the Elephant in Torquay at 12.05pm as I couldn't get on to the website," he said. "It's all a bit of a shock at the moment and is only starting to sink in. I had no idea that we would be considered from something this great."

The Butcher's Arms in Eldersfield, Worcestershire, and the Black Swan in Oldstead, Yorkshire, have become the latest pubs in England to win Michelin stars. Elizabeth Winter, owner of the Butcher's Arms, said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked. We had no idea that this was coming and it's not something we have ever strived for."

Tom Banks, owner of the Black Swan, added: “We are absolutely delighted. We never imagined that we could bring such prestigious recognition to our local village pub when we bought it five years ago. Big thanks to Adam Jackson and his dedicated team in the kitchen – all Yorkshire lads born and bred.”

The Samling in Ambleside, Cubria, has lost its Michelin star, which it won in 2010, and La Bécasse in Ludlow, Shropshire, where former Acorn winner Will Holland is head chef, also lost its star.

Alan Murchison, chief executive of the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, which owns La Bécasse and its Michelin-starred sister restaurants Paris House and L'Ortolan as well as Angelique, said he was shocked and disappointed.

"It's a sad day for us. I never thought I would be having this conversation with Will. He is one of the most talented chefs I have ever worked with and the restaurant is doing phenomenally well."

He added: "It's a set back but we have to keep our heads down and carry on. We will keep pushing forward and concentrating on giving our guests the best possible experience."

New two star restaurants:
Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

New one star restaurants:
Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire
Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor, Buckinghamshire
Butchers Arms, Eldersfield, Worcestershire
The Pass, Horsham West Sussex
Tassili at the Grand Hotel, St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands
The Black Swan, Oldstead, North Yorkshire
Driftwood, Portscatho, Cornwall

Deletions:
The Samling, Ambleside, Cumbria
La Bécasse, Ludlow, Shropshire

 

 

The Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2012 >>

Sat Bains and Tom Kerridge big winners in 2012 Michelin Guide >>

 

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs